Golf practicing device



pil 8, 1941. T Q RUSH 2,237,608

GOLF PRACTICING DEVICE Filed Ot; lO, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 HHIIIIIATTORNEYS pl 8, lgli-. T C. RUSH 2,237,608

GOLF PRACTICING DEVICE ATTORNEYS pri 8; 1941 T. c. RUSH 2,237,608

GOLF PRACTICING DEVI CE Filed OCT.. l0, 1958 3 Sheets-Shea?l 3 @N 2g IM4Z a' wrmass ATTORNEYS l Patented Apr. 8, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT Gi?.lE

GOLF PRACTICING DEVICE Turner C. Rush, Lexington, Ky. Applicationoctnber 1o, 1938, serial No. 234,301

(C1. lei- 9) 4 Claims.

My invention relates to golf practicing devices, and has among itsobjects and advantages the provision of novel means for recording theforce of a drive in terms of yardage.

An object of my invention is to provide a golf practicing deviceembodying a. regulation golf ball which is driven in the usual manner,wherein novel impact means are positioned in the path of the driven ballfor actuating a recording mechanism which translates the force oi thedrive into terms oi yardage. The invention embodies a yardage recordingmechanism for the individual drives as well as a totalizer for alser-ies of drives. 'Ihe recording device embodies a needle and a dialfor indicating yardage of the individual `drives and a needle and a dialfor recording the total yardage, together with novel Figure 5 Tis atopplan view of the golf ball and its race in combination with the impactmember;

'Figure `6 is a cross section plan view of the .switch mechanismactuated by the impact member;

'Figure 7 is `a side view of the structure of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a portion of the switch mechanism of Figure6;

Figure 9 is an end View of the golf ball race;

Figure .l0 is a detail 'view of a coin-controlled switch;

Figure 1l is a diagrammatic view of two elec- -tric circuits embodied inthe invention;

Y'Figure l2 is .aside elevational View of the structure illustrated inFigure A5.

IIn 'the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of apanel Ill provided with a total yardage dial I2 and an individual driveyardage dial I4. lcentrically related, with the dial I2 preferablylocated outside the dial I4. ,A short ,needle I6 is Vassociated with thedial I4, while a longer needle VI8 is associated with the dial I2.Needles :I6 and I8 are rotatable -about'a common axis 20.

rThe two dials are con- Fig. 1 illustrates the dials l2 and Ill asreading in a counterclockwise direction, and the panel III as beingmounted upon a suitable leg structure 22. For outside practice purposes,the legs 22 may be anchored in the ground, while for indoor practicepurposes the lower ends of the legs may be connected with any suitablebase structure, not shown, for balancing purposes.

Figs. 5, l2 and 9 illustrate the golf ball race 24. Race 24 comprises aframe 26 to which I anchor boards 2B spaced at Sil to provide a race forthe regulation golf ball 32. Frame 2li may be laid on the ground or onthe floor and includes a frame member 34v to which I attach spring wiremembers 3S in spaced relation to constitute a tee for the golf ball 32.`li/lembers St are provided with right-angular bends 38 xedly anchoredto the frame member .311. The tee supports the golf ball 32 in theelevated position of Fig. l2 for driving purposes.

A guide rod 40 has one end extending hrough a frame member 42 and isthreaded for the reception of a nut 44. The opposite end of the rod 40extends through the frame member t5 and is threaded for the reception ofa nut IES. Rod 40 parallels the space 33 and is housed inside the same.

Golf ball 32 is bored to receive the runs 53 of a rawhide loop 52 whichpasses underneath the rod d. The ends of the runs 5i) are knotted at 54to prevent withdrawal of the runs. Loop 52 is slidably related to therod 4D so that the golf ball 32 may be driven in the direction of thearrow 56 of Figs. 5 and 12.

Frame ,26 carries :two uprig-hts 58 to one oi which I hingedly connectan impact member 6i). as at 62. Impact member 60 extends transversely ofthe frame 26 and is provided with a rubber cushion 64 arranged in thepath of the ball 32 when driven in the direction of the arrow 56. Ametallic box 66 is mounted on the frame 25 and is secured thereto byscrews 68. A switch lever 'Hl is rotatably mounted on a xed shaft I2adjacent a ratchet 'I4 iixedly related to a gear 'I6 rotatable on theshaft l2.

Switch arm 'l0 normally contacts the impact member 6B, as illustrated inFig. 6, so as to be driven in the direction of the arrow I8 when thegolf ball 32 strikes the impact member. Switch arm 'III is yieldinglyurged in the direction of the impact member 6E! by reason of a springcoiled about the shaft I2 with one end anchored to the shaft and itsother end connected with a pin 82 carried by the switch arm.

The switch arm carries a pawl 84 pivoted at 66 to the switch arm andurged in the direction of the ratchet 14 by reason of a tension spring86. A cam member 90 is in fixed relation to the floor 92 of the box 66,and is arranged in the path of the pawl 84. With the switch arm 10positioned according to Fig. 6, the cam member 96 engages the angularface 94 on the pawl 84 and lifts the abutment 96 in the clear of theratchet 14.

Abutment 96 is arranged to have latching relation with the teeth of theratchet 14, as illustrated in Fig. 8. A slight movement of the switcharm 10 in the direction of the arrow 18 moves the pawl 84 out of cammingrelation with the cam 90, at which time the spring 88 urges the abutment96 into latching relationv with the teeth on the ratchet, so thatmovement of the switch arm 10 in the direction of the arrow 98 willimpart rotation to the gear 16.

Shaft 12 has one end anchored in the iioor -f 92 and its other endsupported by the top wall |06 cf the box 66. Gear 16 is arranged in meshwith a pinion |62 formed as an integral part with the gear |04 fixed toa shaft |06 having one end journaled in the floor 92 and its oppositeend journaled in the top wall |00. Gear |04 is arranged in mesh with apinion 68 integrally connected with a gear fixed to a shaft ||2 havingone end journaled in the oor 92 and its opposite end journaled in thewall |00. Gear ||0 is arranged in mesh with a pinion ||4 keyed to theshaft H6 journaled in the floor 92 and the wall |00.

A governor |18 is associated with the shaft i6 for controlling the speedof the gear train strip |22 arranged in concentrical relation with theaxis of the shaft 12. Switch arm carries a projection |24 provided witha contact pin |26 arranged to have conducting relation with the strip|22. The strip |22 is provided with an insulated area |28 lyingunderneath the pin |26 in the normal position of the switch arm 10.Strip |22 may be insulated from the iioor 02, as at |20.

A conductor |30 is connected with the contact strip |22, while aconductor |32 is electrically connected with the metallic box 66. Itwill thus be seen that the pin |26 on the switch arm 10 is electricallyconnected with the wire |32 through the medium of the box 66, the shaft12 and the switch arm. Wire |32 could be attached directly to the pin,but the arrangement shown eliminates moving wires.

Upon the frame |32 of the panel l0, I mount an electric motor |64. Motor|34 drives a worm |36 arranged in mesh with a worm gear |38 fixed to ashaft |40 rotatably journaled in bearing |42. To the shaft |40 isfixedly connected a grooved wheel |44 for driving a belt |46 passingaround the grooved wheel |48. Wheel |48 is keyed to a shaft |50 havingone end rotatably journaled in needle i6 is fixed to the shaft |50. Oneend of the sleeve |54 is fixedly connected with a gear |58 which isnormally latched to the shaft |50 for rotation with the latter throughthe medium of a pawl |60. Pawl |60 is pivotally connected at |62 with apin carried by a plate |64 Xedly related to the wheel |48. Pawl |60includes an armature |66 which may be attracted upwardly by anelectromagnet |68 carried by thebracket |10 constituting an extension ofthe plate |64.

Normally the sleeve |54 is latched to the shaft |50 because of the pawl|60. .Sleeve |54, which operates the individual drive recording needleI6,

may be rotated independently of the shaft |50 through energization ofthe electromagnet |68, which attracts the armature |66` upwardly andpivots the pawl |60 out of holding relation with the gear |56. Plate 64carries a spring |10 which exerts pressure on the pawl v|60 and urgesthe same into latching relation with the gear |58 upon deenergization ofthe electromagnet |68.

Rotation of .the sleeve |54 independently of the shaft |50 isconsummated through the medium of a weight |12 connected with a line |14wound upon the sleeve |54. yOne end of the line |14 is attached to thesleeve |54 at such a point that the needle |6 will take the zeroposition |16 of Fig. 1 when the line is completely unwound.

Needles I6 and I3 are rotated in their counting directions through themedium of the motor |34. The circuit through the motor is closed throughthe impact of the golf ball 32 upon the impact member 60. The force ofthe impact determines the duration of the closed motor circuit, so thatthe distance traveled by the needles I6 and I8 will depend upon theforce of the impact.

Needle |6 is reset to its zero position for each drive, while thetotalizing needle |8 may be rotated by the motor in a counting directionin driving stages for a predetermined length of time, which period oftime is controlled through the medium of a coin operated switch.

Wheel |48 carries two conducting plates |12' which are circular andconcentrically related about the axis of the wheel. Conducting plates|12' are separated by insulation |14', and the plates are electricallyconnected with the electromagnet |68 through the medium of wires |16'and |18. Plates |12' rotate with the wheel |48, and spring contacts bearagainst the plates.

Spring contacts |80 are insulated apart and mounted on a bracket |82attached to the bar |52. One of the spring contacts |80 is connectedwith a wire |64, while the other contact |60 is connected with a wire|86. Wire |84 is connected with a switch |88 and a battery |90. Wire |66is also connected with the battery |90 (see Fig. 1l). Switch |88 ismanually actuated for energizing the electromagnet |68,

In Fig. 5, I illustrate the switch |88 as being mounted on the frame 26in close proximity to the tee comprising the spring wires 36. The spacedterminals |92 are arranged to be bridged by a iiexible switch member |94by pressing the same downwardly. Member |94 may be depressed by the footor the golf club after each drive for energizing the electromagnet |68to return the needle |6 to its zero position |16.

To the frame |62 of the panel I8 is secure a coin chute |66communicating with a horizontal coin guide |96. Coin guide |98 is flatfor supporting the coin 200 on edge as it drops into the guide. Eachside of the guide carries a spring finger 202 for gripping andsupporting the coin the wall 2M.

V2132 in the :position of the Fig. 10. Guide |98 loosely supports a:head 204 connected with 4a push rod 22S `actuated through the medium ofa knob 228,

-Push rod 2:95 is .loosely supportediin an openingin the lframe |32and-is provided YWith a flange 2H) against which one end of a.compression spring 212 bears. Spring 2l2 encircles 'the push vrod andhas its opposite'end in abuttingrelation with the guide |98 so Aas tonormal-ly support Vthe head 2--24 in the position of Fig. 2.

Upon the wall 2l4 of a coinreceptacle121i:` I mount an arm 2 iwhichcarries a mercury switch 2li-8. Arm '2|5 is pivotally connected 'at 22Dwith rIhe wire |32 anda'wire'222 are electrically related to 'themercury switch 218 and are arranged `to be bridged Awhen the switch is.moved :to the full line position oi .'Fig. 10. The circuit is Ybrekenwhen the arm 21E vis moved to Athe 'dotted line position. Coin 200 movesthe arm Zit` 4from its normal or ldotted :line position of Fig. l0 ltothe ifull :line position illustrated therein.

Wall 2M .carries a kicker yarm 223 for driving 'the com 2te from meposition of ing. io int-o the receptacle 2 t5. Arm 223 is pivotallymounted on .a pin A coiled lspring 232 .has 'one end fixedlyconnected-with the pin 232 'and its other end .hooked over apin234'attached'tothekicker arm 222 Yfor urging th-efend 255 downwardly.End 235 .may he `provided with a right-'angular bend 23S for strikingthe coin. A pin .248 .limits the downward' movement of the end 236, anda pin L242 Aconstitutes a rest 'for the arm 2-|6 `when .lying in itsnormal position.

In the absence ofthe coin 2ML arm .2|6 normallylies in the dotted lineposition of Fig. 10,'at which time its short end `lies in the dottedline position, as indicated at 2M. At the same time, vthe end 235 of thekicker arm 22B lies in the dotted 'line position lof Fig. 1Q. asindicated at 2M. A coin dropped in the ychute Y|26 will ylie iin the.guide |92. As thehead'2ii4 is advanced, the coin is .pushed forwardlyvto the .position indicated in Fig. 10. During such advancement of thecoin 252 the end 23E will be lmoved `from the ydotted line position toits full line illustration, while the short end of the arm 256 will bepivotally downwardly for moving the arm to the full line position, atwhich time the mercury in the tube will bridge the wires 222 and |32.then ready for operation.

Wheel |48 carries -a iinger 248 arranged in the path of the end 252 ofthe kicker arm 228. Finger 248 normally lies underneath the end 25D, as

illustrated at 252 in Fig. 10. Coin 22B will remain in the position of10 until the wheel |48 has made a complete revolution. Figs. 2 and 10illustrate the wheel labout to complete its revolution. As wheel |48 isrotated in the direction of the arrow 254, the finger 248 will engagethe end 259 of the kicker arm 228 and pivot the end downwardly. Finger228 will then pass the end 250 at which time the spring 232 will kickthe end 236 downwardly for kicking the coin 200 into the receptacle 256.With the coin 25|) removed, the mercury switch ZIB will drop to itsnormal position, while the kicker arm 228 will also take the dotted lineposition of Fig. 10.

Referring to Fig. ll, the wire |32 is electrically related to thecontact pin |26. nected with the contact strip |22, connects with thesecondary winding 263 ci a transformer 262. Primary winding 264 of thetransformer 262 is connected with line wires 285 and 268. A wire 210connects with the wire `28S and leads to the The machine is Wire |30,conmotor |34, while a wire 212 leads from the motor and connects with acontact 214. An armature 276 is arranged to `be attracted by theenergized relay 25E and carries a contact 278 electrically engaging thecontact 2.'.'4 when the relay 255 is energized. Line wire 268 connectswith the contact 2"!!8, and a wire 258 connects the secondary winding255i with the relay 256, with the wire 222 leading .from the mercuryswitch 2|li to the relay. Wire |32 electrically connects the contactstrip |22 with the mercury switch 2 |8.

From the foregoing description of .the various parts of the device, theoperation thereof will be readily understood. The deposit of a coin ofpredetermined denoniination in the chute |96 will close the switch 28when the coin is advanced to the full line illustration of Fig, 10. Whenthe mercury switch 2.!8 is closed, the circuit through the motor will beclosed only when the pin |26 is moved into conducting relation with thecontact strip |22.

With the pin IES contacting the strip |22, the relay 255 willbre-energized for drawing the armature 216 to .the position of Fig. l1,at `which time the contact 2.-'54 is arranged in conducting rela- 'tion`with the contact 27S. The circuit through the motor will then heclosed. Motor |34 will operate so long as the pin |25 is in contact withYthe strip |22. The duration of contact between the pin |25 and ythestrip |22 will depend upon the -force with which the 'golf ball 32strikes the impact member 59.

l@poration oi the motor lli/i will turn the needles i5 and 'i8 in acounter-clockwise direction when viewing Fig. f1. Thus the force withwhich the golf ball strikes the impact member li will be translated in`terrr-.s of yardage, as indicated by the dials l2 and i4. After eachdrive, the switch .|28 is closed which energizes the electromagnet Hi8for drawing the paw] |553 out of latching re lation with the vgear |58.Thus .the needle l will return toits Zero position after each drive.

Duringrotation of the wheel |48, the finger 248 will vpivot the kickerarm 228 to permit the arm tolzick the coin 2.92 out of holding relationwith the mercury switch .2 i8. It will thus'be seen that I have provideda device through the medium of which individual drives may be translatedin terms of yardage, in addition to providing means whereby a series ofdrives may be recorded in terms of total yardage. The number of drivesrequired to rotate the wheel |48 a complete revolution will depend uponthe forces of the individual drives. After completion of one revolutionof the wheel, the machine may again be rendered operable by depositinganother coin.

I claim:

1. A golf practicing device comprising an impact totalizing means, anindividual drive impact indicator means, -a motor, an operatingconnection between the motor `and the impact totalizing means, latchmeans for operatively connecting the individual drive impact indicatormeans with the impact totalizing means, electrical means for unlatchingsaid latch means including a manually actuated switch, means forreturning the individual drive impact indicator means to a startingposition upon unlatching of said latch means, and a circuit connectedwith said motor including a golf ball impact switch.

2. A golf practicing device, the combination of a rotatable shaft havinga totalizing needle connected therewith, an electric motor having anoperating connection with said shaft for rotating the latter, shaftmeans coaxially related to said first shaft and having an individualdrive needle connected therewith, said shaft means being rotatablerelatively to said first shaft and having a toothed latch member xedlyconnected therewith," a support connected with said first shaft forrotation therewith, a pawl movably mounted on said support and normallyengaging said latch member to connect said first shaft and said shaftmeans as a unit, an electro-magnet mounted on -s-aid support for pullingsaid pawl out of engagement with said latch member, weightme-ans'connected with said shaft means for rotating the latter when saidpawl is moved out of engagement with said latch member to move theindividual drive needle to its zero position, an elec- I tric circuitconnected with said motor and ncluding an -impact actuated switch forenergizing the motor to rotate said first shaft and said shaft means asa unit, and an electric circuit including a manually actuated switch forenergizing said electro-magnet to move said pawl out of engagement withsaid latch member.

3. A golf practicing device, the combination of a rotatable shafthavinga totaling needle connected therewith, an electric motor having anoperating connection with said shaft for rotating the latter, shaftmeans coaxially related to said rst shaft and having an individual driveneedle connected therewith, said shaft means being rotatable relativelyto said nrst shaft and having a toothed latch member xedly connectedtherewith, a support connected with said rst shaft for rotationtherewith, a pawl movably mounted on said support and normally engagingsaid latch member to connect said first shaft and said shaft means as aunit, an electro-magnet mounted on said support for pulling said pawlout of engagement with said latch member, weight means connected withsaid shaft means for rotating the latter when said pawl is moved fout ofengagement with said latch member to move the individual drive needle toits zero position, an electric circuit connected with Said motor andincluding an impact actuated switch for energizing the motor to rotatesaid rst shaft rio energizing said electro-magnet to move said pawl outof engagement with said latch member, a coin controlled switchinterposed in said first mentioned electric circuit, and means coactingwith said first shaft for shifting said coin controlled switch to anopen position upon a complete revolution of said first shaft.

4. A golf practicing device, the combination of a rotatable shaft havinga totalizing needle connected therewith, an electric motor having anoperating connection with said shaft for rotating the latter, shaftmeans coaxially related to said first shaft and having an individualdrive needle connected therewith, said shaft means being rotatablerelatively to said rst shaft and having a toothed latch member ixedlyconnected therewith, a support connected with said rst shaft forrotation therewith, a pawl movably mounted onsaid support and normallyengaging said latch member to connect said rst shaft and said shaftmeans as a unit, an electro-magnet mounted on said support for pullingsaid pawl out of engagement with said latch member,

weight means connected with said shaft means for rotating the latterwhen said pawl is moved out of engagement with said latch member to movethe individual drive needle to its zero position, an electric circuitconnected with said motor and including an impact actuated switch forenergizing the motor to rotate said first shaft and said shaft means asa unit, an electric circuit including a manually actuated switch forenergizing said electro-magnet to move said pawl out of engagement withsaid latch member, said operating connection including a motor drivenwheel, a wheel xedly related to said first shaft and a coupling memberconnecting the two wheels, a coin controlled switch interposed in saidrst mentioned electric circuit including means for holding a coincoacting with the coink controlled switch for holding the latter in aclosed position, and means' carried by the Wheel connected with saidfirst mentioned shaft for removing the coin upon a predetermined degreeof rotation of said first mentioned shaft for opening said coincontrolled switch.

TURNER C. RUSH.

